Pope Francis called Mongolia a “symbol of religious freedom” in his first speech in the Asian country sandwiched between China and Russia and underlined how Mongolia’s democratic government is in a unique position to play “an important role on behalf of world peace.”
Speaking in Mongolia’s State Palace in Ulaanbaatar on Sept. 2, the pope asked that heaven may grant the “earth devastated by countless conflicts” a renewal and respect for international laws.
“May the dark clouds of war be dispelled, swept away by the firm desire for a universal fraternity wherein tensions are resolved through encounter and dialogue, and the fundamental rights of all people are guaranteed,” the pope said in the speech to Mongolia’s democratic leaders and diplomatic corps.
Speaking 200 miles from Mongolia’s border with Russia, the pope urged: “Together let us strive to build a future of peace.”
The Mongolian Honor Guard stood watch in front of the State Palace as Pope Francis arrived in the capital city’s Sukhbaatar Square on Saturday morning. The square is built on the spot where Damdin Sükhbaatar, a Mongolian revolutionary hero, declared Mongolia’s independence from China in 1921.
Catholic pilgrims from Hong Kong and mainland China were among the small crowd of a few hundred people who welcomed the pope to the world’s most populated sovereign country. Other Mongolian passersby stopped to see the pope, including Tuvshin, 38, a Christian from Ulaanbaatar.
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